AFW Designers Join Traditional Contest Marking Independence Day in Surabaya

Surabaya, E Java (Antara) - Asian Fashion Week (AFW) 2014 designers took part in a traditional contest to mark the 69th anniversary of Indonesian independence at the Surya Park here on Sunday. "For the first time ever, I play this game. I am delighted to be here. Surabaya residents are very hospitable and friendly. They are like my family," said Vietnamese designer Doan Quynh Nhi who took part in a chips-eating contest. AFW is for the first time ever held in Indonesia with Surabaya as the host. In a flag-raising ceremony to mark the 69th anniversary of Indonesian independence, the Surabaya city administration invited designers from 16 countries to take part in the traditional contest. The contest featured a number of games including eating chips, putting pencils into bottles, and bakiak (wooden clog) racing. A Russian designer emerged as the first winner in the game to put pencils into bottles, with an Australian designer trailing behind in second place. The game brought together designers from Brunei, Australia, Russia, Sri Lanka, Bolivia and Nepal. The designers also took part in bakiak racing. They were divided into three groups with each group comprising five people. The first group consisted of Russian, Bolivian, Australian and Mexican designers, the second group comprised Nepalese designers and the third group represented Russian designers. To enliven the independence day commemoration, Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini also took part in the chips-eating contest along with Asian fashion Week 2014 participants. (*)